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Comment Archives: Locations: Restaurants: New Southern
Re: “Husk Restaurant”
So goodfoodonly... I did not join yesterday all my tech got infected so I made a new account. It's not at all my intention to write only negative reviews I just happened to have some pretty shit food last week. As for the soles of my shoes... at least they are more traveled and have had more experiences than a meal here would garnish. I have a multitude of places I enjoy dining in Chaleston I live, work, and eat here and love our food culture! Just not he unwaranted hype!!!!!!! As far as black bean is concerned you can shove it and go stand in line for a $14 semi good "artisan" dinky ass sandwhich with the rest of the know it all hipster elite.
Re: “Husk Restaurant”
So...EaterMe. You joined yesterday and posted a bunch of negative reviews except for...a deli and CrapBean and Company. Shows where your palate is. The soles of your shoes...
Re: “Husk Restaurant”
Bland, no imagination, local-shmocal give me some flavor. Sure beans taste good by them selves and we are ALL SO IMPRESSED by the fact that they were lovingly displaced from the dirt by the tender hands of Shaun Brock but I think professonal cooks should do something besided lean on the product. Most good cooks can make a solid tomto taste great! We should be looking to the pro's to elevate it something else and these guys just don't! Hey did I mention you're going to spend your whole paycheck here. As a working cook in this town I don't want to eat food I could make at home AND spend a weeks worth of labor on it. ONE STAR for food the other one is for service bc they managed not to eff that up.
Re: “Oscar's Restaurant”
Oscar's has been a main stay in Summerville for 30 years and is consistant in serving great food, providing excellent customer service and affordable prices. It's for sure on my list of favorites!
Re: “Husk Restaurant”
Husk can be found in a beautifully restored residence on Queen Street. When you walk up to the restaurant, it reminds you of a prohibition-era estate with a beautiful landscaping and an impressive front porch that invites you inside with its Southern hospitality. The interior is very classic and southern, dark wood, with lots of little candles highlighting the architecture and design of the building that once housed residents. I would describe Husk's menu as a very inspired southern comfort food composed of ingredients produced exclusively in the south. Husk is another one of Sean Brock's many successes (you may have heard of McCrady's) and his southern roots and attention to detail are obvious in every part of the experience.
When you first sit down, you are greeted with a sweet grass basket of warm rolls topped with sea salt and benne seeds. The menu at Husk changes daily based on what ingredients are the freshest or what mood Brock is in. Although some of the dishes do show up on a regular basis, expect some surprises if you go more than once. Many of the dishes are pig-centric and all of them have a southern flair. For example, I had the crispy pig ear lettuce wraps which were like nothing I had tried before. For the entrée, I went with the duo of pork which consisted of a perfectly braised pork belly and an equally juicy pork shoulder. In addition to pork, there are plenty of other amazing options to choose from. We also had the wood-fired clams and pan seared sea bass which were both stunning. The quality of the ingredients is obvious and the execution was flawless across our table.
Our server provided just the right level of service - not too overbearing but never let our glasses sit empty. And on that note, if you are a fan of bourbon prepare to be delighted. The array of whiskies available at Husk will blow your mind. Many of them I had never heard of and some I had been dying to try but never seen them available. Husk's wine list has a good range of selections without being overwhelming. However I though the fact that it was organized by soil type was a bit pretentious of them. How many people know what type of wine they like based on the limestone content of the ground in grew in? That aside, our experience here was absolutely top-notch and the food is a great way to try southern food with a splash of elegance.
Re: “Peninsula Grill”
Consistently the Best. Best Food, Service and Wine. The desserts are fabulous-always. Have never had a bad meal or experience in over 10 years. Not once, wish I could say that about others here but I can't. I travel between my home in NYC and here and can say that this place can match many of the classic dining establishments in NYC and far outshines all the other restaurants here. Others newbies come and go, but this place stays. Must be a reason for that.
Re: “Poogan's Porch”
This has long been a stand-by for bringing out-of-town visitors due to the combination of reliably great food, an atmospheric setting, and reasonable prices. I have generally been pleased by the updated menu items I've tried. The recent (June, 2012) CP review has some negative comments on the scallops with pork belly, but it was a marriage made in heaven to me. My own first experience here came as part of a job interview some years ago, and that meal was part of what hooked me on moving to Charleston. There are better restaurants in Charleston, but they are not places I could go frequently. Poogan's Porch is my favorite in its class.
Re: “Midtown Bar & Grill”
I've been to this place 3-4 times in the last year. The food is actually pretty decent, but the atmosphere and service not so much. We go in there for dinner during the week when it does not seem to be very busy. The acoustics are terrible and the food is always slow to come out. I would go there more often for the food, but I just get annoyed with the lack luster service and too laid back attitude from the staff.
Re: “Oscar's Restaurant”
In response to the comment below....Wow, coming from a Summerville Hick who has traveled quit a bit to VERY high end restaurants in MANY big cities (Le Cirque in NYC, Fleur De Lys in San Fran and Vegas just to name a few) , I will say I have had mostly good experiences at Oscar's. I think the Woodlands is COMPLETELY over-rated, the food is barely average, it's snotty, and NOT worth the money. I enjoy the quaint atmosphere in the bar at Oscars, the staff is always attentive and remembers us when we walk in. I think they have good steaks, (and they are just as comparable as what I was served at the Woodlands, in an atmosphere that I do not need to wear a tie, and I don't have to whisper my conversation due to the stuffiness). But what do I know, since I am just a hick from Summerville that has probably dined in quite a few more high end restaurants than most.
Re: “Oscar's Restaurant”
Overrated. I will take Moe's any day over this.
Re: “Oscar's Restaurant”
It seems only the old Summerville residents say this is a good place. I guess if you've never left Summerville in your whole life then maybe you would think this is a good restaurant. I know better. Staff is great for serving not so good food. Totally over priced for what it really is. Sooooooo far from upscale unless you live in a trailer park.
Re: “Husk Restaurant”
I have been to Husk only for lunch so far, but am excited to try them again for dinner and Thanksgiving.
The first time I went to Husk, it was only on recommendation and I must admit I was worried. They change their menu every day, and what if I didn't like it? I've been too entirely too many places claiming to serve southern food, southern style food, or a twist on the south. Well, Husk did NOT disappoint.
Our waiter was amazing. He was hilarious and sweet, he gave his recommendations and was even ballsy enough to say his least favorite dish, which I happened to order. With four people at our table we managed to try almost everything.
The rolls the give you at the beginning are divine. The cocktails are amazing. I must admit that I have no heat tolerance so I can't recommend anything with jalepeno vodka but that Copper Lantern is to die for.
I got tenderloin that was cooked to perfection. I have tried the shrimp and grits which were delicious. These are how grits should be... not some watery mush. Thick and big and yum.
Oatmeal pie for desert, you know you want it.
And if you go on a day with rabbit soup, fear not, and dive in.
PS. Anyone who is scared of pork lard needs not to eat at any place claiming to serve southern food. Come on, we store our bacon grease here!
Re: “Hominy Grill”
What passes for good food here is better comedy than most of what you'll get at Theatre 99. I assume the head chef makes only sporadic visits. Or maybe he's in line with all the overweight tourists outside. Someone needs to tell him he doesn't need to wait out there; he can go on back to the kitchen and take over the reins from that stoned CofC student. Seriously, Denny's makes a better biscuit. Who cares, right? You've got a cash cow. James Beard would be so proud!
Re: “Swamp Fox Restaurant & Bar”
I have been to a lot of the new restaurants in town, but my wife and I went back to one that we have not been to in a long time. The Swamp Fox in the Francis Marion hotel is a true classic. We took advantage of Restaurant Weeks 3 for $30 menu. WOW were we impressed. We started with fried green tomatoes that were cooked to perfection. The goat cheese and pepper jelly that were paired with the tomato made me want to have it for the whole meal, not just for a starter. Than we moved on to some of the best flounder we have had in a while. It had just the right amount of spicy peach glaze on a crunchy light panko breading. Finally, we finished with the apple tart with amazing caramel sauce. With the food tasting this great and the incredible atmosphere of the Francis Marion hotel and view of the square, not only will we be back, but I think I might just become a regular!
Re: “Hominy Grill”
The shrimp and grits are the best in Charleston (which means the best anywhere, really). The Cobb salad and the Chicken Ranch salad (a frequent special with fresh corn, fried green tomatoes, chicken, and a home made ranch dressing with a punch) are long-time favorites. Every "vegetable" (sides, really) on the blackboard is fresh, local, home-made and amazing. The fried green tomato BLT rocks. And how does a southern chef make such awesome french fries and huevos rancheros? Oh, and did I mention the fried chicken? The food is always top-notch and consistent. The service is knowledgeable and friendly. And since they've added more enclosed space, the wait is more tolerable (shorter and with cocktails!), the restrooms easier (two instead of one...no line), and they have a bartender cranking out creative southern-based adult beverages. Rock on, Hominy Grill.
Re: “Hominy Grill”
My coworkers and I ate here today while checking off items from your 101 list. I have only ever been here for breakfast, which I loved.
The patio is now closed in. I, personally don't like it. I loved the patio. It was like a secret hideway from the tourists.
The food was lackluster. I ordered the club and I could have had the same sandwich anywhere. My coworker ordered the shrimp and grits (which were very good) but are only offered at a dinner portion for $16.95 at lunch.
The service was the real issue. Our waiter seemed bothered to be serving us. Rushed us through the meal and everytime he spoke he seemed annoyed we were even there. We all work in the hospitality industry as well and know you have to give the customers a reason to return. Average food and poor service are not a reason.
Re: “Hominy Grill”
My last two visits for lunch have been so disappointing. Servers are zombie-like with no interaction or introduction. Just walk up and say "there's the special board. Ready to order?" Bloody mary's had to be sent back because they were basically tomato flavored water. Cheese grits had virtually no hint of cheese. It's been embarrassing because both times I was entertaining guests for their first time at a well known restaurant in charleston. Come on, guys, don't slip now.
Re: “Hominy Grill”
Ate there for the first time after hearing they were in the "Top 10" places in the USA to eat a pancake. I don't think they make my "Top 100."
1. The pancakes seemed slightly overcooked, and not an overwhelming portion - no sides?
2. The butter provided is little, individually wrapped pats of butter. What a pain to unwrap butter pats when you are trying to eat pancakes.
3. The syrup arrived well after the pancakes. Even Waffle House brings syrup when you place your order, not as an afterthought or only on request.
On the upside, the wait staff was neat, attentive, and did bring the syrup when asked.
As others have stated, parking is, well, very hard to come by.
Re: “Carolina's”
We loved the food. We had the spring tasting menu. Chef Jill's choices for our 5 course meal. A complete surprise until the food gets to your table. Such a delicious and fun way to taste the cuisine.
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Re: “Husk Restaurant”
Once you get your "tech" worked out, you can conquer the English language and learn to spell.